About

Tony Batish is a committed Punjabi theatre director and playwright. He started theatre in 1975 from his native place, Bathinda. He belonged to a family, who was already active in the field of Punjabi Drama and theatre. His father Jagdish Fariyadi was (and is) known as master of operas. In 1975 Punjabi theatre doesnt has a clear concept of theatre director. Playwrights were supposed to direct their own scripts. It was also a time, when Harpal Tiwana, a graduate from National School of Drama (can be known as first Punjabi professional theatre director) was trying to set up his own theatre group from Patiala. Tony Batish established Venus Art Theatre, Bathinda. As belonged to a renowned theatre family, Tony was very enthusiastic for theatre from very beginning. In 1975, experiment tradition of Punjabi theatre was near to its end and once again realistic theatre style was coming under the spot light, particularly in rural Punjab. But going against the trend, Tony Batish preferred the scripts of Dr. Atamjit, the only successor of experimental theatre movement of sixties. It was a miracle that he presented Atamjits most symbolic plays like Murgikhana (The Poultry), Relgaddi (The train) and Sadhe Tinn Lattan wala Mez (Three and Half legged Table; and also Ajmer Singh Aulakhs experimental stuff Ishaq Jinhan De Haddi Rachia (People who fell in love) to an amazing success in the rural area of Malwa Region of Punjab. Bolstered by this success Tony Batish started organizing 3 to 7 days theatre festivals in Bathinda and surrounding areas. It was a golden period particularly for the Malwa Region of Punjab as far as Punjabi theatre is concerned. The impact of Tony Batishs work was so high that it inspired many young people to join Punjabi Theatre.

But unfortunately, this passion for Punjabi theatre proved as mistake in long run. Tony was so enthusiastic about theatre that he ignored the non-commercial aspects of theatre. The scripts and theatre he preferred were excellent academically but not professionally. Moreover he was too simple to adopt business tactics or grant-fundas, which could provide him his daily needs of bread and butter. Suddenly, Tony Batish found him trapped. In addition to this, political crises of Punjab become worst in 1984. It spoiled every possibility of commercial theatre, if there was any. Thus Tony and his Venus Art Theatre had to passing through a long period of silence and inactivity. In 2000 Tony Batish again recollected his group and ginger and started theatre work. In his life, Tony had to pay heavy price for his passion for theatre.

In his peak period Kahani Ik Pind Di (Story of a Village) and Razia Sultan (Balwant Gargi) can be counted two major productions of Tony Batish. Grandeur, technicalities and star actors; these production has almost every element of an ideal theatre. Kudrat De Sab Bandey (All of Nature Fellow) is another short-street play written and directed by Tony Batish, which was played almost every day in Punjab during Punjab Crises of 1980-1995.

Another feature of Tony’s work is his theatre for and with children. Tony Batish, perhaps, has organized and conducted maximum children theatre workshops in Punjab. Instead of teaching children acting methods, Tony teaches them better life through theatre.

As a director, Tony Batish believes that theatre has its own language and it must be maintained during production. He would not prefer a script which has no space for director. Thats why, he chosen work of Atamjit and later few scripts of Pali Bhupindre Singh due to their theatrical style.
Life Tony Batish was born on January 11, 1958 in village Fateh Singh Wala (in his uncles house) of District Bathinda. His father Jagdish Fariyadi was a renowned Punjabi theatre actor and director, who had hundreds of successful productions of many ballads and operas to his credit. Tony completed his school education from Des Raj Memorial Govt. School, Bathinda and went to Govt. Rajindera College, Bathinda. But he was not a good student. More than the study, he was interested in theatre, which was in his blood and in his home, everywhere. So, he just finished his graduation in 1976 as a private student. During this, he spent some time on his family restaurant Gayland, which was opened in 1975. But both, father and son had no time for this business as they were busy in theatre. So, it was closed in two years or three. After this Tony Batish made theatre as career.

Tony Batish was married to Parveen Kumari in 1982 and later they had two kids; daughter Natika and son Roopak. (Named on Sanskrit drama forms). At present Tony is living with his family at Bathinda and working with a school as activity teacher.
Theatre Group Venus Art Theatre, Bathinda
Major Works ‘Kahani Ik Pind Di’, ‘Razia Sultan’ (Balwant Gargi), ‘Rishtian Da Ki Rakhiye Na’, ‘Murgikhana’, ‘Anne-Kaane’, ‘Gubarey’, ‘Relgaddi’ (all by Dr. Atamjit), ‘Jdon Raushni Hundi Hai’ (Gursharn Singh), ‘Arbad Narbad Dhundukara’ (Ajmer Singh Aulkh), ‘Ghar Gum Hai’, ‘Terrorist Di Premika’ (Pali Bhupinder Singh) & ‘Chavian Di Rutt’ (Mahinder Singh Sarna).